What does an abnormal pap smear mean?
The pap smear is the screening test for cervical cancer. An abnormal pap smear can indicate a number of things, but it usually means that there are abnormal cells on the cervix. These cells may return to normal or they may be pre-cancerous. Sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital warts, are a common cause of abnormal cells on the cervix. Other factors such as smoking, environmental toxins, and sexual intercourse at an early age can increase the risk of cervical cancer. An abnormal pap result does not always mean cervical cancer or a sexually transmitted disease. It could also be a lab error.
